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Sun Devil Women’s Basketball Goes on the Road to Face San Diego

WHAT: Sun Devil Women’s Basketball at San DiegoWHEN: Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. PT/6:15 p.m. MTWHERE: Jenny Craig Pavilion, San Diego, Calif.RADIO: NBC Sports Radio AM 1060UP NEXT
Coming off a 40-point win in its season opener on Saturday, the Arizona State women’s basketball team (1-0) goes on the road for the first time this season when it meets San Diego (1-0) on Wednesday (5:15 p.m. PT/6:15 p.m. MT).
Wednesday’s game will be the first of consecutive road games for the Sun Devils, who will play at Texas Tech on Sunday.NOTES FROM LAST GAME
• ASU opened its 2013-14 campaign with an 84-44 win over Hawaii on Saturday. Deja Mann scored 14 points to lead four players in double figures – Promise Amukamara (13 points), Katie Hempen (12 points) and Adrianne Thomas (10 points).
• ASU shot 56 percent from the floor, including 39 percent (9-23) from 3-point range.
• Mann was playing in her first official game since March of 2012 after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
• Four players made their ASU debut on Saturday: redshirt sophomore guard Katie Hempen (sat out last season after transferring from SIUE in 2012) and freshman forwards Sophie Brunner and Kelsey Moos and center Quinn Dornstauder. Hempen and Moos both started on Saturday while Brunner and Dornstauder both contributed significant minutes off the bench.
• The 84 points ASU scored were the most it scored since Jan. 2, 2011, when it scored 86 in a win over Oregon.
• Senior guard Adrianne Thomas, who scored 10 points, had a career-high five steals.
• Redshirt senior center Joy Burke, who came up two points short of a double-double (eight points, 10 rebounds), tied her career high with three assists.SCOUTING SAN DIEGO/SERIES NOTES
• San Diego returns four starters from last year’s team that went 22-10 and advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
• The Toreros were picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference by the league’s coaches. San Diego had two players – senior guard Amy Kame and sophomore guard Maya Hood – named to the preseason All-WCC Team.
• ASU and San Diego have met eight times before with ASU winning seven of the eight games. ASU won the most recent meeting, 72-39, last season in Tempe. The last time the two teams faced off in San Diego was in 2005 in a game won by ASU, 67-63.CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AWAITS SUN DEVIL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL THIS SEASON
This season the Sun Devil women’s basketball team will look to return to the upper echelon of the Pac-12 Conference, which sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament last season – Cal, Colorado, Stanford and UCLA. The Pac-12 has also had two different schools represent the conference in the Final Four the last two seasons – Cal in 2013 and Stanford in 2012.
To prepare for play in the conference, which figures to be as competitive as ever in 2013-14, the Sun Devils will play a challenging, 12-game non-conference schedule that includes nine games against teams that advanced to the postseason in 2013.
“This is traditionally what we do,” explained Sun Devil head coach Charli Turner Thorne. “Playing a challenging non-conference schedule helps our team grow and prepare for the tough competition it will face in the Pac-12.”
Included in the non-conference portion of ASU’s 2013-14 schedule will be games against 2013 NCAA Tournament participants Texas Tech (Nov. 17 in Lubbock, Texas), North Carolina (Thanksgiving weekend tournament in Cancun, Mexico), Miami (Dec. 21 in Tempe) and Syracuse (Dec. 30 in Tempe).
ASU will open its 2013-14 campaign on Nov. 9 against Hawaii (2013 WNIT participant) before going on the road to take on a San Diego team that returns four starters from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
ASU will face Illinois for the second time in three seasons, one of three games the Sun Devils will play in Cancun (Arkansas State, UNC). Illinois proved its program is on the rise after advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2013 WNIT.
After playing North Carolina once prior to 2005, the Sun Devils will be playing the Tar Heels for the fourth time in eight years. This will be the second time the two teams have played each other in Cancun. The Tar Heels won 29 games last season, which earned them a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The field for the annual ASU Classic (Dec. 7-8), includes three 2013 WNIT participants – Harvard, Long Beach State and Sacred Heart.
On Dec. 21 the Sun Devils will face Miami for only the second time in school history (ASU won the only other meeting, 78-74 in 1988). The Hurricanes are coming off their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
ASU closes out its non-conference schedule on Dec. 30 when it hosts Syracuse, which won 24 games last season on its way to a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Sun Devil Women’s Basketball to Honor No. 21 Jersey of Hall of Famer Ryneldi Becenti on Dec. 21
Ryneldi Becenti, a member of the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame who twice earned honorable mention All-America notice as a member of the Sun Devil women’s basketball team, will have her No. 21 jersey honored and displayed from the rafters of Wells Fargo Arena on Sat., Dec. 21 when the Sun Devils host the University of Miami.
“As we started to evaluate the stars of our distinguished past, it quickly became apparent that no player was more celebrated or had more of an impact – both in her community and within our own Sun Devil community – than Ryneldi Becenti,” said Turner Thorne. “While already in our Hall of Fame for her achievements as a student-athlete, we felt a program-specific tribute like this was fitting for a special individual whose influence went beyond the basketball court.
“The incredible work ethic and desire that led her to our program galvanized the Native American community. Her outstanding contributions as a Sun Devil enhanced her legendary status and remain an inspiration for many. I am so proud to be announcing that we will be hanging Ryneldi Becenti’s No. 21 jersey from the rafters of Wells Fargo Arena on Dec. 21. We hope all our fans and basketball enthusiasts alike will mark the date in their calendars to come out and help us pay tribute to this Sun Devil icon.”
Becenti was a two-time honorable mention All-America honoree while also becoming one of only three Sun Devils (at the time) to earn All-Pac-10 first-team honors twice in a career.
Following two successful seasons at Scottsdale Community College, Becenti joined ASU where her outstanding all-around play was pivotal in helping the Sun Devils earn a NCAA Tournament berth in 1992, the program’s first tournament invite since 1983.
By the conclusion of her two-year Sun Devil career, Becenti would accumulate 396 career assists, which at the time represented the second-highest career total in program history. Her career average of 7.1 assists per game remains a Pac-12 record to this day, while her 17-assist outing vs. Marquette in 1992 still sits atop the team’s list for most assists in a single game. With 15 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in a Jan. 25, 1992, game against Oregon State, Becenti became the first player in school history to record a triple-double and was the lone player in the NCAA – men or women – to record the feat that season.
Becenti’s enormous popularity in the community and the Navajo Nation received national acclaim in March 1993, when she was featured in a Sports Illustrated article written by award-winning journalist Gary Smith.
As a member the 1993 USA team at the World University Games, Becenti became the first Native American female to earn a medal at the event. She would also go on to earn the distinction of becoming the first Native American to play in the WNBA as a member of the hometown Phoenix Mercury.
In 1996, she became the first woman inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame adding to her list of enshrinements, which includes the Scottsdale Community College Hall of Fame, Arizona State University Hall of Fame and the Arizona High School Sports Hall of Fame.
A native of Fort Defiance, Ariz., Becenti earned high school All-America honors playing for Window Rock High School. Her stellar play continued at Scottsdale Community College where she earned junior college All-American recognition. 2013-14 Sun Devil WBB Player Notes#0 Katie HempenGuard • 5’9” • Redshirt Sophomore • Highland, Ill. • Highland HS • Transfer (SIUE)
• Transferred to ASU from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May, 2012.
• Per NCAA transfer rules, did not play in 2012-13, however was able to practice with the team.
• Earned the team’s Most Improved Player Award at the conclusion of last season.
• As a freshman at SIUE in 2011-12, was named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and was a member of the All-Newcomer team.
• Scored 12 points and dished out three assists in her first game as a Sun Devil vs. Hawaii (Nov. 9).#1 Arnecia HawkinsGuard • 5’10” • Sophomore • Mesa, Ariz. • Mountain View • 1V
• Played in all 31 games (three starts) as a freshman in 2012-13 and finished second on the team in both 3-point field goals (26) and free throw percentage (78.6).
• Scored seven or more points 12 times, including a season-high 18 points vs. Washington State (Feb. 1).
• Recorded five or more rebounds four times, including a season-high seven rebounds vs. Washington (Feb. 3).
• Came off the bench to score eight points (3-4 FGs) in season-opening win vs. Hawaii (Nov. 9).#3 Joy BurkeCenter • 6’5” • Redshirt Senior • Tempe, Ariz. • Marcos de Niza • 3V
• Has played in 91 career games (33 starts).
• Averaged 6.5 minutes per game prior to the 2012-13 season.
• Played in all 31 games (30 starts) and led the team in rebounds (6.1 rpg - 18th in the Pac-12) and shot blocks (1.0 bpg - 15th in the Pac-12), finished second in field goal percentage (41.7) and third in scoring (7.1 ppg).
• Scored in double figures 10 times in 2012-13, including a career-high 18 points (7-13 FGs) in ASU’s double overtime win at Arizona (Feb. 19). Also posted double figures in rebounds seven times, including a career-best 12 boards on three occasions: at UTEP (Nov. 18) vs. N.C. State (Nov. 24) and vs. Longwood (Dec. 22).
• Redshirted in 2011-12 after missing most of the season due to lingering effects from a concussion suffered earlier in the season.
• Has earned Pac-12 Academic Honorable Mention recognition three times.
• Played in 27 games in 2010-11.
• Played in 24 games (2 starts) as a freshman in 2009-10 after being slowed by injuries during the team’s preseason training.
• Came up two points shy of a double-double (eight points, 10 rebounds) in ASU’s season-opening win vs. Hawaii (Nov. 9).#5 Deja MannGuard • 5’7” • Redshirt Senior • Merced, Calif. • Merced HS • 3V
• Missed the 2012-13 season after suffering a knee injury in September, 2012.
• Has played in 96 career games (49 starts).
• Started 46 consecutive games between the end of her sophomore season and her entire junior season.
• Started all 32 games in 2011-12 and earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention (coaches) and Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention (coaches). Led ASU in assists (3.4 apg), free throws made (56) and free throw percentage (.812) in 2011-12 and also scored in double figures nine times, with seven of those instances coming in the last 15 games of the season.
• Played in all 31 of ASU’s contests in 2010-11 with 14 starts (all 14 starts coming in last 14 games).
• Led ASU in free throw shooting percentage in 2010-11 and 2011-12, connecting on 83 percent (89-107) of her free throw attempts during that stretch.
• Playing in her first official game since March of 2012, led ASU with 14 points (6-10 FGs) and four assists in ASU’s season opening win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#10 Promise AmukamaraGuard • 5’8” • Junior • Glendale, Ariz. • Apollo HS • 2V
• Has started 32 of 64 career games (31 starts coming in 2012-13 - was the only player on the team who started every game last season).
• Earned Pac-12 defensive honorable mention notice after she finished first on the team in steals (1.9 spg - ninth in the Pac-12) and free throw percentage (82.8), second in scoring (8.0 ppg) and third in rebounds (4.1 rpg).
• Scored in double figures nine times in 2012-13, including a career-high 21 points in ASU’s double OT win at Arizona (Feb. 19).
• Has made 81.7 percent of her career free throws (94-115).
• Played in all 32 of ASU’s contests as a freshman in 2011-12 and finished as the team leader in field goal percentage (.439).
• Scored 13 points (5-8 FGs) to go along with four steals in ASU’s season-opening win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#14 Adrianne ThomasGuard • 5’9” • Senior • Fontana, Calif. • Summit HS • 3V
• Has played in 94 career games (31 starts), missing only one game in her career.
• Averaged 10.2 minutes her first two seasons as a reserve before taking over the starting point guard duties last season.
• Started all 30 games she played in last season and led the team in assists (2.9 apg - 11th in the Pac-12), was second in free throws made (66) and steals (1.2 spg) and third in free throw percent (68.8 - 15th in the Pac-12).
• During the second half of last season had a seven-game stretch in which she made 90 percent of her free throws (18-20), more than 20 percentage points above her season-ending percentage (68.8).
• After playing in the first 84 games of her Sun Devil career, was forced to miss ASU’s contest vs. Washington (Feb. 3) due to injury.
• Scored 10 points, dished out three assists and had a career-high five steals in ASU’s season-opening win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#15 Nisha BarrettForward • 6’1” • Senior • Barstow, Calif. • Barstow HS • Barstow CC • 1V
• Will not play in 2013-14 due to injury suffered in the offseason.
• Transferred to ASU from Barstow Community College in April 2012.
• Played in 20 games last season.
• Logged 116 minutes over ASU’s last 13 games (12 appearances - 9.7 minutes per game) after playing 27 combined minutes (in eight appearances - 3.4 mpg) the first 18 games of the season.
• Had season highs in points (6), rebounds (7) and minutes (21) vs. Washington (Feb. 3).#20 Isidora PurkovicGuard • 5’11” • Sophomore • Calgary, Alberta, Canada • Western Canada HS • 1V
• Played in 28 games as a freshman in 2012-13.
• Connected on 40 percent of her shots from 3-point range (6-15).
• Scored a season-best 10 points (4-7 FGs) in ASU’s win over Binghamton (Dec. 1).
• Scored eight points and had two assists vs. San Diego (Dec. 12).#21 Sophie BrunnerForward • 6’1” • Freshman • Freeport, Ill. • Aquin HS • HS
• A 2013 graduate of Aquin High School (Freeport, Ill).
• Twice named to the AP’s All-State First-Team, Brunner had her No. 21 jersey retired at the conclusion of her Aquin High School after playing a central role in her team winning to back-to-back Class 1A state girls basketball titles (2012-13).
• Set 17 records in Illinois tournament finals play.
• As a senior, averaged 20.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists in leading Aquin to a 31-3 record and its second consecutive 1A state title.
• Scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the state 2013 1A final.
• Named to the Champaign News Gazette’s 15-player, all-class first-team as a junior after averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
• In 2012 her play helped lead Aquin to a school-record 32 wins and the Class 1A girls basketball title.
• Averaged 32.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 steals, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in the 2012 state semifinals and championship game.
• Played 16 minutes in her first game as a Sun Devil, ASU’s 84-44 win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#22 Quinn DornstauderCenter • 6’4” • Freshman • Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada • LeBoldus HS • HS
• A 2013 graduate of LeBoldus High School (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada).
• Competed for the Canadian Junior National Team at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship in Panevezys, Lithuania. Averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in the eight games. Scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Canada’s final game of the tournament vs. Japan.
• Was also a member of the Canadian team that won the bronze medal at the 2012 U17 World Championships in Amsterdam. She finished fourth in rebounding at the championships.
• As a senior, helped lead her LeBoldus high school team to a 5A title as she scored 25 points in the championship game to help LeBoldus upset Holy Cross, which came into the contest on an 84-game winning streak.
• In December 2012, Dornstauder played a central role in LeBoldus winning the Mike Dea Classic Senior Girls Basketball Tournament for the second consecutive season after posting 32 points and 19 rebounds in the championship game to earn tournament MVP honors.
• Scored six points (2-2 FGs) in her first game as a Sun Devil, ASU’s 84-44 win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#23 Elisha DavisGuard • 5’3” • Sophomore • Berkeley, Calif. • Berkeley HS • 1V
• Played in all 31 games as a freshman in 2012-13 (one start).
• Recorded four or more assists seven times, including a season-high six assists at Washington (Jan. 4).
• Pulled down five or more rebounds four times, including a season-high six rebounds vs. Dayton (Dec. 2).
• Scored a career-high nine points (4-7 FGs) in ASU’s win over UNI (Nov. 23).
• Made first career start vs. Washington (Feb. 3).
• Scored six points and added three assists in ASU’s season-opening win over Hawaii (Nov. 9).#24 Kelsey MoosForward • 6’0” • Freshman • Edwall, Wash. • Reardan HS • HS
• A 2013 graduate of Reardan High School (Reardan, Wash.).
• Was named the Class 2B State Player of the Year by the Associated Press three straight years.
• Helped lead Reardan (29-1) to its third consecutive state title after scoring 28 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the 2013 girls 2B state title game.
• Averaged 17.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.8 steals in 2011-12.
• Tallied a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) in the 2012 2B state title game as Reardan completed its season with a perfect 27-0 record.
• Contributed 13 points and seven rebounds in the 2011 state title game, which began Reardan’s (25-3) run of three straight state titles.
• Earned All-League and All-State honors following her freshman season in 2010.
• Also helped lead Reardan’s volleyball team to three consecutive state titles.
• Started her first career game, ASU’s 84-44 win over Hawaii, and accounted for eight rebounds and three points.#43 Eliza NormenGuard/Forward • 6’0” • Redshirt Sophomore • Louisville, Colo. • Monarch HS • 1V
• Played in all 31 games (two starts) last season after redshirting in 2011-12 due to injury.
• Earned Second-Team Pac-12 All-Academic recognition and the team’s Academic Award last season.
• Made the first start of her career vs. Washington and scored five points and grabbed five rebounds. Also started ASU’s game at No. 6 Cal (Feb. 8).
• Grabbed a career-high six rebounds vs. Utah (Feb. 15).